USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - New Priestly Life and Ministry Director Named

OurNew Priestly Life and Ministry Director Named

WASHINGTON (June 27, 1997) -- The Reverend J. Cletus Kiley of the Archdiocese of Chicago has been named Executive Director of the Secretariat of Priestly Life and Ministry of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops as of August 1. He succeeds Father Thomas R. Bevan who is returning to his home archdiocese of Baltimore as a pastor.

Msgr. Dennis M. Schnurr, General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/U.S. Catholic Conference, made the announcement today. He said that he was "extremely grateful" to Archbishop Francis George of Chicago for releasing Father Kiley for service to the Conference.

"The Secretariat for Priestly Life and Ministry deals with some of the most significant and complex matters that come to the attention of the Conference. Father Kiley, with his diverse experience in working with clergy and others in service to the Church, brings exceptional personal and professional qualities to the task," said Msgr. Schnurr.

He thanked Father Bevan for "his dedicated service to the Conference at a challenging time for the priesthood" and also Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore for allowing Father Bevan to serve the Conference in this position.

Father Kiley said that he "looked forward to working for the Conference. The opportunity to work on behalf of priests nationally through the Secretariat is an exciting new opportunity for service which I am grateful to the Conference for making available to me and to Archbishop George for allowing me to accept," he continued.

Sister Sharon Euart, RSM, associate general secretary of the NCCB/USCC, who headed the search committee which recommended Father Kiley's appointment, said that his seminary experience and his work with diocesan personnel -- clergy, religious, and lay -- as well as his participation in several national organizations dealing with these matters "made him an ideal choice for the position."

Father Kiley is presently pastor of St. Agnes Parish, Chicago. He has served as rector/president of both St. Joseph Seminary at Loyola University and Niles College Seminary of Chicago. His seminary experience also included service as associate dean of the formation faculty and associate director of the doctor of ministry program of Mundelein Seminary.

Father Kiley was director of the archdiocesan department of personnel services and also served as acting vicar of religious. He is an experienced retreat master for priest retreats and parish missions, and he has also written on personnel matters.

Father Kiley holds a doctorate in ministry from the University of St. Mary of the Lake and a masters in applied spirituality from the University of San Francisco. He is fluent in both Spanish and Italian.